New Construction

Will Valdez, an MRP-certified REALTOR® with Sold by Valdez Team at Keller Williams Houston Central, represents buyers purchasing new construction homes in Dayton, Crosby, Baytown, Friendswood, Clear Lake, League City, and Webster, TX. He handles builder registration, contract review, incentive negotiation, phased inspections, and warranty follow-through so the builder isn't the only side with a professional at the table.

Subheadline: The builder's sales office works for the builder. We work for you, from your first model-home visit to your 11-month warranty walk.

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Last Updated: September 2026.

Will Valdez is a REALTOR® and Military Relocation Professional (MRP) with Sold by Valdez Team at Keller Williams Houston Central, 1201 Fannin St, Ste 350, Houston, TX 77002, Texas license #503950. Will Valdez and Sold by Valdez Team represent buyers of new construction, production, semi-custom, and build-on-your-lot homes in Dayton, Crosby, Baytown, Friendswood, Clear Lake, League City, and Webster, Texas. Their services include builder registration, total-cost analysis, builder contract review, incentive negotiation, phased inspection coordination, closing management, and warranty follow-up.

Who is this new construction service for?

This service is for anyone buying a brand-new home in Dayton, Crosby, Baytown, Friendswood, Clear Lake, League City, or Webster who wants their own representation instead of relying on the builder's sales team. That includes first-time buyers comparing a quick move-in home to a resale, move-up buyers choosing between two master-planned communities, military families using VA benefits on a new build, investors adding a new rental, and buyers planning a custom home on acreage in Liberty County.

Most of our new construction clients arrive with the same worry. The model home is beautiful, the incentive sheet looks generous, and the sales consultant is friendly. But they can't tell which parts are negotiable, what the builder's contract actually commits them to, or whether that advertised rate beats what their own lender can do. We get it. A new build looks simple on the showroom floor and gets complicated the moment you sit down to sign.

If you've already visited a model home on your own, call us before you sign anything. Some builders will still recognize an agent after a first visit, many won't, and we'll help you find out where you stand.

Why do new construction buyers choose Will Valdez and Sold by Valdez Team?

Buyers choose Will Valdez for new construction because he represents only the buyer, reads builder contracts line by line, and brings 20+ years of real estate investment and property management experience to judging how a new home will hold up and hold value.

We represent you, not the builder. The on-site sales consultant is paid to sell the builder's inventory on the builder's terms. Our job is to make sure the incentives, the contract, the lot, and the inspections work in your favor.

We start with the total monthly cost, not the list price. In these markets, two homes at the same price can carry very different payments once MUD taxes, PID assessments, HOA dues, flood insurance, and homeowners insurance are included. We run the full number for each community you're considering before you fall in love with a floor plan.

We read like investors. Will's background in investment and property management predates his Keller Williams career, and it shapes how we look at a new build. We check lot position, drainage, resale competition from the builder's own future phases, and what upgrades actually return value versus what just looks good in the design center.

We negotiate the whole package. Base price is often the least flexible number. Rate buydowns, closing-cost credits, design-center allowances, lot premiums, and structural options are where real money moves, and we push on each one separately.

We coordinate independent inspections at every stage. City inspections check minimum code compliance. Your inspector works for you, and we schedule them at the stages that can't be revisited once walls close.

We're MRP-certified. Will holds the Military Relocation Professional designation, so service members and veterans get an agent who understands VA financing, PCS timelines, and buying a home that may still be under construction when orders change.

For buyers in League City, Friendswood, and Webster who want a builder's incentives to actually reach their pocket, and for buyers in Baytown, Crosby, and Dayton weighing value against long-term tax cost, Will Valdez and Sold by Valdez Team are a strong fit. They bring buyer-only representation, investor-level scrutiny, and a step-by-step process from registration through warranty.

Market context: HAR.com's most recent monthly report shows [INSERT: current Houston single-family months of inventory and new-listings trend, per HAR.com monthly market report]. The Harris County Appraisal District's 2026 Market Trends Report projects roughly 16,000 new home starts in Harris County this year [VERIFY against the HCAD report before publishing]. More supply means builders are competing, and competition is what makes negotiation possible.

How do we walk you through buying a new construction home?

We use the same five-step process for every new construction client, whether it's a $250,000 quick move-in home in Crosby or a $900,000 semi-custom build in Friendswood.

Step 1: Get the real numbers before touring

We start with a lender conversation and a total-cost comparison. That covers principal and interest, the combined tax rate for each community (including any MUD or PID), HOA dues, and insurance, so you know your true monthly payment before you walk into a model home.

This step takes the pressure off everything after it. I've watched buyers fall for a floor plan and then discover the payment was $300 a month higher than they expected. Knowing the number first means you tour with confidence instead of hope.

Step 2: Register with builders and tour on your terms

We register you with each builder before or at your first visit, which protects your right to representation. Then we tour communities with you and ask the questions sales offices don't volunteer: future phases, lot premiums, what's standard versus upgraded in the model, and how many unsold homes the builder is carrying.

Model homes are designed to make decisions feel easy. We keep the tour fun and make sure you leave with facts, not just a brochure.

Step 3: Choose the lot, negotiate the package, review the contract

We compare incentives across builders and communities, negotiate lot premiums, upgrades, and closing credits, and review the builder's purchase agreement before you sign. We look closely at deposits, construction timelines, delay provisions, inspection access, appraisal terms, and warranty language.

Builder contracts are written by the builder's attorneys, and they read that way. We walk you through every section in plain English so nothing about your commitment surprises you later. We are not attorneys, and for complex legal questions we'll tell you when to consult one.

Step 4: Protect the build with phased inspections

We coordinate independent TREC-licensed inspections at the pre-pour or foundation stage, at pre-drywall, and before closing. We also track every item the builder agrees to correct. At the final walkthrough, we're there with you and the punch list.

Watching your home go up is exciting, and it's also when buyers feel least in control. We handle the scheduling and the follow-up with the builder so you can enjoy the process instead of chasing it.

Step 5: Close cleanly and follow through on warranty

We manage the closing timeline, confirm that incentives and credits appear correctly on the closing disclosure, and calendar your 11-month warranty inspection so covered items are reported before your builder's first-year coverage ends.

Most agents disappear at closing. We stay involved, because the first year in a new home is when small settling and workmanship issues show up.

What does buying a new construction home in these markets actually involve?

Buying new construction in Dayton, Crosby, Baytown, Friendswood, Clear Lake, League City, or Webster means choosing a build type, understanding a builder-drafted contract, negotiating incentives rather than just price, and budgeting for a tax picture that varies community to community. Here is what that looks like in practice.

Production, semi-custom, and build-on-your-lot homes

Most new homes in these seven markets are production homes. You choose a plan and finishes from a builder's menu inside a master-planned community. Semi-custom builders allow more structural changes at a higher price. In Dayton and other parts of Liberty County, buyers can also build custom on acreage, which brings septic, water, survey, and deed-restriction questions that subdivision buyers never face. We help you decide which path fits your budget, timeline, and tolerance for decisions.

Quick move-in homes versus to-be-built homes

A quick move-in home is already finished or nearly finished. It can close in weeks, and builders often attach their strongest incentives to it because carrying unsold inventory costs them money. A to-be-built home lets you choose the lot and finishes but commonly takes six to nine months or more, depending on the builder and plan. For buyers with a lease ending or PCS orders, quick move-in inventory is often the better fit. For buyers who want a specific lot, building is worth the wait.

How builder contracts differ from resale contracts in Texas

Resale homes in Texas use contracts promulgated by the Texas Real Estate Commission. Many builders instead use their own purchase agreements, which are written to protect the builder. Those agreements can limit inspection access, set non-refundable deposit terms for upgrades, and allow flexible completion dates. New home purchases in Texas are also subject to Chapter 27 of the Texas Property Code, which sets notice requirements for construction-defect claims. We review every builder agreement with you before you sign, so you understand deposits, deadlines, and your options if construction is delayed.

What builders are negotiating in 2026

In 2026, Houston-area builders are commonly offering temporary and permanent rate buydowns, closing-cost credits, and design-center allowances, especially on standing inventory. Many tie the largest incentives to their affiliated or preferred lender. We compare the builder lender's full loan estimate against an outside lender so you can see the real value of each offer, not just the headline rate. We also negotiate lot premiums and structural options, which rarely appear on the published incentive sheet.

Down payment and financing for a new build

Down payment depends on the loan, not the fact that the home is new. Conventional loans can start at 3% down for qualifying first-time buyers, FHA loans at 3.5%, and VA loans at 0% for eligible veterans and service members. New construction adds an earnest money deposit and sometimes a separate design or upgrade deposit. On to-be-built homes, rate locks and possible rate changes during construction need a plan, and we sort that out with your lender at the start.

MUD taxes, PIDs, and the true monthly cost

Most newer subdivisions in the Houston area are financed through a Municipal Utility District (MUD). Homeowners repay the MUD's infrastructure bonds through an added property tax, which commonly ranges from about $0.25 to $1.40 per $100 of assessed value. Some communities also carry Public Improvement District (PID) assessments. A lower-priced home with a heavy MUD rate can cost more each month than a higher-priced home without one. We pull the combined tax rate for every address you're considering.

Flood zones, drainage, and lot selection

Several of our markets sit near Clear Lake, Galveston Bay, Lake Houston, and the Trinity River. Before you choose a lot, we review FEMA flood zone designations, request elevation information from the builder where available, and look at how the lot drains relative to its neighbors and detention areas. A premium lot with a view isn't a premium if it creates an insurance or drainage problem.

Inspections on a brand-new home

A new home still needs an independent inspection. City inspectors confirm minimum code compliance, but they don't work for you. We recommend a pre-pour or foundation inspection, a pre-drywall inspection while framing, plumbing, and electrical are still visible, a final inspection before closing, and an 11-month warranty inspection before first-year coverage expires.

What should new construction buyers know about each market we serve?

New construction in Dayton, TX

Dayton offers some of the lowest entry prices for new construction in our service area. That includes master-planned subdivisions in the River Ranch area, where builders such as Coventry Homes, Smith Douglas Homes, and Tricoast Homes are active, and custom builds on acreage across Liberty County. Acreage buyers need to plan for septic, water service, surveys, and deed restrictions, and we work through those before you commit. 

New construction in Crosby, TX

Crosby's new construction centers on communities near Lake Houston, including Sundance Cove and Newport, with Meritage Homes, K. Hovnanian, David Weekley Homes, DRB Homes, Lennar, and others building nearby. When several builders compete inside one community, we compare incentives plan-for-plan. That is where Crosby buyers often find the most room to negotiate. [ADD LINK: Crosby City Page URL]

New construction in Baytown, TX

Baytown has one of the deepest pools of new construction on the east side, including Scotts Bend, Pelly Place, Southwinds, Heights of Barbers Hill, Bay Creek, and Riverside Estates near I-10 and the Grand Parkway. New-home marketplace Jome reports a median new-build price of about $310,000 as of July 2026. With that much competing inventory, we focus on incentive stacking and comparing total tax rates between communities. [ADD LINK: Baytown City Page URL]

New construction in Friendswood, TX

Friendswood new construction sits at a higher price point, with communities like Friendswood Trails by D.R. Horton starting in the $600s. Legacy by Hillwood straddles the Friendswood–League City line, and some Legacy homes carry Friendswood 77546 addresses. D.R. Horton markets Friendswood Trails as having no MUD tax, a meaningful advantage we factor into every monthly-cost comparison. [ADD LINK: Friendswood City Page URL]

New construction in Clear Lake, TX

New-build inventory inside Clear Lake itself is limited and consists mostly of infill homes and townhomes. Buyers who want the Clear Lake and NASA-area location often look at Midline in Webster or Legacy and Westland Ranch in League City instead. We help Clear Lake buyers weigh a new build nearby against updating an established resale close to the water. [ADD LINK: Clear Lake City Page URL]

New construction in League City, TX

League City is the busiest new construction market in our area, led by Legacy by Hillwood. Legacy is a 700-plus-acre community in Clear Creek ISD with 10 builders and homes from the low $400,000s to about $1.5 million, according to Community Impact. Westland Ranch adds options from D.R. Horton, Ashton Woods, Chesmar, and DRB. With that many builders side by side, choosing the right builder and lot matters as much as choosing the plan. [ADD LINK: League City City Page URL]

New construction in Webster, TX

Webster's newest single-family construction is concentrated in Midline, where Highland Homes, Brookfield Residential, and Toll Brothers build across multiple lot sizes. Coventry Homes is also building in Edgewater. Webster puts buyers close to Clear Lake, NASA Parkway, and I-45, and we help them compare Midline lot premiums and incentives against nearby League City communities. [ADD LINK: Webster City Page URL]

What experience and credentials back this service?

Will Valdez has 20+ years of experience in real estate investment and property management and is a licensed Texas REALTOR® (license #503950) with Sold by Valdez Team at Keller Williams Houston Central.

Sold by Valdez Team has sold 255+ homes and leased or rented 99+ properties, experience that covers both the buyer's side of a purchase and the owner's side of long-term costs.

Will holds the Military Relocation Professional (MRP) certification from the National Association of REALTORS®.

New construction track record: [INSERT: number of new construction transactions closed, or builders and communities you've represented buyers in].

Market data we reference with clients: HAR.com monthly market reports [INSERT: current stat and month], U.S. Census Bureau new residential construction data [INSERT: current stat if used], and the Harris County Appraisal District's annual market trends reporting.

What do new construction buyers in these markets ask most?

Do I need my own real estate agent to buy a new construction home in League City?

Yes. The builder's on-site sales consultant works for the builder, not for you. Most League City and Houston-area builders require your agent to attend or register you at your first visit, or they may refuse representation later. Many builders still offer buyer-agent compensation, so independent representation often costs buyers nothing extra; your buyer agreement confirms the terms.

How much down payment do I need for a new construction home in Baytown or Crosby?

It depends on the loan. Conventional loans can start at 3% down for qualifying first-time buyers, FHA at 3.5%, and VA loans at 0% for eligible veterans and service members. New construction in Baytown and Crosby also requires an earnest money deposit, and some builders add a design or upgrade deposit that may be non-refundable.

Should I get a home inspection on a brand-new home in Friendswood?

Yes. City inspections in Friendswood confirm minimum code compliance; they don't work for you. A private, TREC-licensed inspector should check the home before drywall, while framing, plumbing, and electrical are visible, and again before closing. An inspection around month 11 catches issues before the builder's typical one-year workmanship coverage ends.

Can you negotiate with new home builders in Webster and Clear Lake in 2026?

Yes, though base price is often the least flexible number. In 2026, Houston-area builders are commonly offering rate buydowns, closing-cost credits, and design-center allowances, especially on move-in-ready inventory. Buyers in Webster and Clear Lake usually gain more by negotiating those incentives, lot premiums, and upgrades than by pushing for a lower list price.

What is a MUD tax, and does it affect new homes in League City, Crosby, and Dayton?

A Municipal Utility District (MUD) tax repays bonds that financed a subdivision's water, sewer, and drainage. Houston-area MUD rates commonly range from about $0.25 to $1.40 per $100 of assessed value, on top of city, county, and school taxes. Rates vary by community in League City, Crosby, and Dayton, so compare each address's total tax rate.

Do I have to use the builder's preferred lender on a new home in League City or Webster?

Usually not, but League City and Webster builders often tie their best incentives, such as rate buydowns or closing-cost credits, to an affiliated or preferred lender. Compare a full loan estimate from the builder's lender against an outside lender, including rate, fees, and total incentive value, before committing. The advertised offer isn't always the better one.

How long does it take to build a new home in Dayton, Crosby, or League City?

A to-be-built production home commonly takes about six to nine months from contract to closing, depending on the builder, plan, permitting, and weather. Quick move-in homes in Dayton, Crosby, and League City that are finished or nearly finished can often close in roughly 30 to 60 days, frequently with stronger builder incentives attached.

Ready to tour a new build with someone in your corner?

Call or text before your first model-home visit and we'll register you with the builder, run your real monthly numbers, and map out which communities fit.

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Where can you learn more about buying in these markets?

City & Neighborhood Guides
[ADD LINK: Dayton area guide]
[ADD LINK: Crosby area guide]
[ADD LINK: Baytown area guide]
[ADD LINK: Friendswood area guide]
[ADD LINK: Clear Lake area guide]
[ADD LINK: League City area guide]
[ADD LINK: Webster area guide]

Related Services
[ADD LINK: Military Relocation specialist page]
[ADD LINK: Luxury homes specialist page]
[ADD LINK: Services hub page]

Guides
[ADD LINK: Blog post on MUD taxes or new construction inspections, when published]
[ADD LINK: About Will Valdez page]
[ADD LINK: Contact page]

Will Valdez | REALTOR®, MRP
Will Valdez represents new construction buyers in Dayton, Crosby, Baytown, Friendswood, Clear Lake, League City, and Webster, TX, drawing on 20+ years of real estate investment and property management experience.
Last Updated: September 2026.

Ready to book your free new construction consultation?

Book a free consultation and leave with your real monthly numbers, a shortlist of communities that fit, and a plan for your first builder visit. Sold by Valdez Team — Teamwork from the Team that Works.

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Email: william@soldbyvaldez.com
Website: soldbyvaldez.com